Tatsumi Hijikata and Akira Kasai – pioneers of butoh Tatsumi Hijikata and Akira Kasai were involved in the development of butoh in the 1960s. They began their dance careers by studying modern dance, especially Neue Tanz in Germany, and later explored new dance forms, leading to the creation of butoh. Butoh is known as an avant-garde art form that influenced not only dance but also theater, film, art, and photography of that period. In the 1960s, Tatsumi Hijikata, Akira Kasai, and Kazuo Ohno were responsible for promoting butoh. Around 1970, the three dancers began to pursue their butoh activities independently. Tatsumi Hijikata, the founder of butoh, was inspired by European ideas such as dadaism and surrealism, as well as French literature and art. Akira Kasai was devoted to Western mythology, the Christian Bible, and ancient Japanese thought, creating solo dance works that gained recognition from literary figures and poets. After the suicide of Yukio Mishima, who supported Hijikata’s dance activities, Hijikata shifted the themes of his work from sex and violence in the 1960s to exploring the roots of life, illness, and aging in the 1970s. In 1973, Hijikata stopped dancing and developed the butoh method, which he taught to his students. The exhibition tells the story of Hijikata and the environment co-created by Akira Kasai. It also highlights the place of butoh in the history of contemporary performing arts. The event will open with a lecture by Takashi Morishita, director of the Hijikata Archives at KEIO University Art Center. A second lecture will take place on October 3rd at the Cinema, CSW Zamek Ujazdowski (see the program of the ROZDROŻE Festival). The materials presented at the Butohsfera exhibition were preserved thanks to the efforts of those who recognized their importance. This is a unique opportunity to learn about butoh and its history. The exhibition is part of the 28th International Performing Art Festival ROZDROŻE 2025. - Event details: https://www.facebook.com/events/2941787069501596/ - Akira Kasai’s performance "Dancing Chopin" on October 2nd: https://www.facebook.com/events/1477072930112164/ Co-financed by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage from the Culture Promotion Fund as part of the "Dance" program implemented by the National Institute of Music and Dance.
